The cover image is the Maitreya In-World Store on July 29, 2023. The window display was created by Vixie Rayna.
Maitreya LaraX is now listed on The Mesh Directory! To see what’s new and what will be familiar check out the post Maitreya LaraX (& What You Need To Know Compared To Lara)!
LaraX and LaraX Petite have been released! If you have Lara v5 or newer you can use the redelivery button in the “Misc” section of your HUD to get LaraX. For LaraX Petite you’ll need to swing by the in world store for a redelivery. LaraX Flat is not yet released, however it is coming.
As LaraX is now officially out most of this post isn’t as relevant. You can still find some answers about it here, however keep an eye out for the LaraX listing on The Mesh Directory as well as an in depth post on what’s new with LaraX. I’ll link both of those here once they are up!
By now you’ve probably seen that Maitreya Lara is getting an update is releasing a new body, Lara X! (This body is free for those who own Maitreya Lara, so many considered it an update for quite some time. It has been confirmed by the creator that Lara X is an entirely new body.) You’ve probably also heard a ton of speculation and rumors. Within the first 24 hours after the news broke I was already seeing a ton of guessing being presented as facts and confusing folks. After seeing misinformation circulating (and confusing people) I decided to consolidate what we do know to help keep facts straight. I will be keeping this up to date as I come across more information.
The Reveal
Our first glimpse of Maitreya Lara X was on July 28, 2023 on Velour‘s Flickr. They announced that their Picasso Babe skin line (made in collaboration with itGirls), will be expanding to include Maitreya once Lara X is released. They stated that there are “several improvements in the body that I’m sure you’ll love.”
Those are the only bits of factual, official information that was posted from Velour at the time. Now, they did also say, “we are also counting down the days to launch!” This has led to lots of speculation on release dates. It’s important to keep in mind that as of right now we do not have an official release date.
Over in Maitreya’s Discord, the brand’s General Manager, Gryphon, gave us a little more information. She stated, “We do not have a firm date for the release of the update. It’s coming, but we don’t work to deadlines, we just work till it’s done.” She also confirmed that Lara X will be a free for those who own Lara.
Maitreya’s First Official Announcement
We got our first official post from Maitreya over on their Facebook page on July 29, 2023. I’ve embedded the short video they shared for your convenience. It shows a transition from Lara 5.3 (the current version) to Lara X. While it’s only six seconds long, we are still able to see some of the physical updates that are coming to the body. If you’re having trouble seeing them, keep an eye on the shoulders, abdomen, and booty. These are where you can see the most noticeable changes they’ve shared with us visually. The clip is accompanied by a great description which you can read in its entirety over on the official post.
In that description, Maitreya lets us know that Lara X is “an entirely new version, a next generation of Lara!” They confirm they’ve heard customer requests for curvier, more detailed options. They’ve also heard creator concerns over some difficulties making products for the current 5.3 version of Lara. As a solution for both Maitreya is releasing a new version of their body, Lara X. Lara X will have “smoother weights and more detailed mesh.” They do acknowledge that the changes to the body means the current content that exists for Lara won’t work with Lara X, however they didn’t want folks to lose their wardrobes. As a solution, “every Lara mesh body owner or buyer will receive Lara X for free and also still the original Lara body, to wear with existing Lara wardrobes. You can switch between them effortlessly if you wish so.”
Additional Confirmed Information
Of course these two announcements aren’t the only place information has come from. So far we’ve also received some little tidbits from Maitreya’s Discord (and allegedly some from the official group chat as well, but I haven’t seen those with my own eyes and will only post here what I can personally confirm.)
Petite and Flat
Gryphon confirmed in the Discord that Petite and Flat will be updated for Lara X. “Petite and Flat get change too. Not only do they get the X treatment – they are not going to be an add-on. They will be a full body – 1 attachment. So if you already have Petite or Flat, once this drops, you redeliver and you will get Lara 5 with your chest option and Lara X with your chest option.” Basically, instead of needing to wear your body and the chest addon it’ll be all one piece.
Product Compatibility
Gryphon also gave us some confirmation on items that we’ll still be able to use. “People have asked about existing appliers and such – that will all still work. So will shoes and um… hand-wear. Shapes still work, and this will not change anything about mesh heads either. The feet are still the same.”
Tarani Tempest, owner of Shiny Stuffs and a mod in the Maitreya Discord server, confirmed “Skin UV will remain SLUV.” Gryphon also confirmed that “The UV mapping is not changing.” So in addition to appliers your BOM Maitreya skins will still work.
When asked if Lara X will work with things like Pretty Liars physics animation HUDs Gryphon said, “It should but as I do not own them I have not been able to test that.”
General Information
Gryphon also said, “Don’t expect changes to the HUD.”
Gryphon confirmed, “Both versions (the current 5.3 and Lara X) will be supported going forward.”
Ren Flow, a mod in the Maitreya Discord server, let us know, “One change that I know will make people happy is that Lara X will support butt physics.”
Gryphon has also let us know, “The new dev kit isn’t quite ready yet but licensed creators will get it asap through downloads here – before we unleash the body on teh world.” As of 9/29/2023 when this post was updated the devkit has not yet been released. Note: The Dev Kit has been released and a few third party products have now been released.
Gryphon again confirmed via Discord, “Clothes that fit the Lara body will continue to fit Lara. We are releasing a second body called Lara X. Lara X is NOT and update to Lara, it is a separate body completely. Hand and Foot-wear, BoM, Appliers, Shapes all will work for both Lara and Lara X. Clothing rigged for Lara with not fit Lara X because they are different bodies. All Lara owners will receive our new body, Lara X for free.”
Release Hints
LaraX is officially out!
Responding to rumors of a release date, Gryphon stated on November 16, 2023, “Nothing yet (Full Stop). We have not told anyone a firm date. It’s close though.”
The Maitreya Lara Friends group (partially owned by Gryphon) sent out a notice on Nov 19, 2023 encouraging anyone who is not using v5 or newer to redeliver now. “If you hope to get LaraX sooner rather than later, the time to get a v5 redelivery is now. Once Lara X is released, we anticipate the region being slammed. You might not get in for some days. Lara v5 has redelivery in the HUD. (MISC tab)”
Maitreya Lara X: The TLDR
I know some folks aren’t going to want to read all the details and that’s ok. So here is a quick list for you to get the basics of what we know.
- Lara X is free for those who currently own Lara.
- We do not have a release date yet.
- Your current clothing will likely NOT work on Lara X.
- Both the current Maitreya Lara body (5.3) and Lara X will be supported by Maitreya going forward.
- Appliers, skins, shoes, hand products, and shapes will all still work with Lara X.
- There are slight physical changes to how the body looks.
- The Petite and Flat addons will be updated, and owners of these addons will receive them as a full body, not just an addon, upon release.
- It sounds like the HUD isn’t changing much if at all.
- Lara X will have have booty physics.
- Physics HUDs should still work, however they haven’t been tested at this time.
- The dev kit has been released so creators have time to make new content.
The Lara X release is “close.” Please note we do not have any official timeframe on when close is, and anything more specific than “close” is ONLY speculation.LaraX is here!- Anyone with Maitreya v5 or higher can use the Redeliver button in the Misc tab of the HUD to get Lara X once it’s released.
Again, I’ll be updating this post as I get more information. If you’re looking for information on Maitreya’s current body (Maitreya Lara 5.3) you can do so at my Maitreya Lara listing over at The Mesh Directory.
For Your Convenience: Official Maitreya Links
These can help you keep up to date on any new changes as they are announced.
- Inworld Location
- Maitreya V.I.P. Group – The official Maitreya group. Chat is disabled here, but you can get in world discounts with the tag active.
- Maitreya Lara Friends group – Not the official group, but it is partially owned by Maitreya’s General Manager. Chat is enabled here and you can get help with your questions from knowledgeable folks.
- Official Site
- Discord
- Flickr
If one chooses not to switch from their current Lara v.5.3 to the Lara X because of the clothing issue, are the stores going to have clothes out for the Lara X to buy ?? It is a shame that the Lara X would not be able to wear the same clothes as the Lara v5.3, since it is not that different, but maybe it is different enough. I probably won’t change from my Lara v.5.3 to the Lara X until stores are carrying clothing (casual and formal) for the Lara X. Thank you for all the information thus far
You’re very welcome, I’m happy you’re finding the info helpful!
As far as clothing availability that’ll entirely depend on third party creators. Some will likely make for both bodies, some may only make for Lara X, and some may only make for Lara 5.3. It really depends on what they decide to do. Of course what they decide is generally based on what will sell. So if people aren’t using/purchasing things for Lara X when it comes out we may see a slower ramp up for products. That said, we’ve seen a couple products out for Lara X already. I’m definitely curious to see how Lara X does once it’s released. All current Lara owners will have it for free, and then of course some folks who don’t already have Lara may purchase as well. It’s just how many folks use it and how many create for it. Only time will tell!
Asia, I am so excited waiting for the Lara X. She will be so me. When I originally purchased my Lara 5.3 I also obtained the add-on Petite. The add-on has worked well but I am thrilled that my dream of being just petite will finally be realized. I do expect the ramp up for products to be gradual, but I see it as an opportunity to build an entirely new wardrobe of current fashions. Clothes that other won’t have. How could any girl not love a new fresh look.
Regeneration has been my go to source for anything to do with Lelutka, Maitreya and fashion. I realize I won’t be hearing about the release of Lara X directly from you, however, your thorough analysis wi
ll be anxiously awaited. I just love your work so much. Thank you, Trisha
Well I have converted to LaraX. Yes it’s difficult to find clothing for it. It would be nice if they had a LOGO for this brand since doing searches for “LaraX” and “Lara-X” and “Lara X” can be confusing for the purchaser. The Search engines will pick up the X which can mean a ton of other items. And the shopping in-world it’s difficult to see unless the retailer puts a giant sign up or section indicating New LaraX Items here.